Issue - meetings

Recommendation:

That the Committee review the Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions to enable the identification of appropriate matters for the overview and scrutiny work programme and the overview of specific decisions proposed to be taken over the period of the plan.

Article 6 (Overview and Scrutiny) of the Constitution requires that the Committee review the Executive’s programme of Key Decisions (the Cabinet Forward Plan) at each meeting, to enable the identification of appropriate matters for the overview and scrutiny work programme and to provide an opportunity for the overview of specific decisions proposed to be taken over the period of the plan.

The Constitution (Article 14 (Decision Making)) defines a Key Decision as an executive decision which:

(a)       involves expenditure or savings of £250,000 or above which are currently within budget and policy;

(b)       involves expenditure or savings of £100,000 or above which are NOT currently within budget and policy;

(c)       is likely to be significant in terms of its effect on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more wards;

(d)       raises new issues of policy;

(e)       increases financial commitments (i.e. revenue and/or capital) in future years over and above existing budgetary approval;

(f)        comprises and includes the publication of draft or final schemes which may require, either directly or in relation to objections to, the approval of a Government Minister; or

(g)       involves the promotion of local legislation.

Wherever possible, Portfolio Holders will attend the Committee to present forthcoming key decisions, to answer questions on the forward plan and to indicate where appropriate work could be carried out by overview and scrutiny on behalf of the Cabinet.

The Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions of 1 June 2022 is attached as an Appendix to this report.

Cabinet’s Key Decision List (KDL) updated to the 1 June 2022 was scrutinised by the Committee and the following points were raised.

It was thought that some of the reports going to a scrutiny committee for pre-scrutiny, were too close to a Cabinet meeting, as the Cabinet report could already been written for that decision. The Leader replied that improvements had been made but the Council did need to be agile and was always looking for opportunities and the way we could transform and move business forward. Comments made by scrutiny committees were helpful, but scrutiny members were welcome to attend Cabinet meetings.

(a)          Environmental and Technical Services Portfolio

Transfer of services to Qualis regarding Grounds Maintenance and MOT and Fleet – Councillor C Whitbread replied that consideration of the business cases should go to Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Councillor H Kane remarked she was looking to make changes so that proper scrutiny was undertaken.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee reviewed the Executive’s current programme of Key Decisions of 1 June 2022.